Youth Week

BC Youth Week is a provincial celebration of youth held annually during the first week of May. It is a week of fun and interactive celebration intended to build a strong connection between young people and their communities and to profile the issues, accomplishments, and diversity of youth across the province.

Of course this is a big week for us at the Abbotsford Youth Commission! We look forward to #BCYW! All our plans are below... all the events this year are FREE!

Youth Week Events May 1 – 7, 2023


Mon. May 1, 2023

Date: Monday, May 1, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Location: Aurora Café + Roastery @ 2615 Montrose Ave

Who: Local Youth Workers

Details: We want to thank Abbotsford’s amazing Youth Workers by hosting a coffee social at Aurora Roasters! First 50 youth workers receive FREE coffee courtesy of the AYC! First 25 receive a FREE scone courtesy of Aurora Cafe!

Meet the Bev and the AYC team at the café and collect your coupons to hand in at the register. Your coffee coupon is good for a free drip coffee, an americano, a latte OR $5 off the drink of your choice.

Registration: No registration required!

Partnering with: Aurora Café + Roastery

Date: Monday, May 1, 2023

Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Location: MRC Youth Centre (3106 Clearbrook Road)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: Do you love creating and sending funny Memes? Whether you love making, receiving and/or laughing till your belly aches at a good meme… this hilarious activity is for YOU!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Date: Monday, May 1, 2023

Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Location: ARC Youth Centre (2499 McMillan Road)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: Who doesn’t love music & bingo?! Swing by our ARC Youth Centre and see if you will be the lucky one to sing out “BINGO!” and win a prize!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Tues. May 2, 2023

Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: MRC Youth Centre (3106 Clearbrook Road)

Ages: 12-18

Details: Come for the free Rootbeer float and stay for the Rush!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Time: 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Location: ARC Gymnasium (2499 McMillan Road - Entrance through ARC Youth Centre)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: Do you have what it takes to take home the win!?! We’ve got prizes and bragging rights to give away at this event! All levels of dodgeball skill are welcome. You can’t dodge this!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: TBD

Who: City of Abbotsford Council + AYC Youth Council

Details: Our City Council and Youth Council will be getting together to collaborate on issues of importance to youth in Abbotsford.

Registration: Please reach out to Sasha, your Program Coordinator, to register!

Wed. May 3, 2023

Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Location: MRC Youth Centre (3106 Clearbrook Road)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: Who doesn’t love music & bingo?! Swing by our MRC Youth Centre and see if you will be the lucky one to sing out “BINGO!” and win a prize!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Location: ARC Youth Centre (2499 McMillan Road)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: You are invited to a Party to die for! Help us solve a mystery of who killed who at ARC Youth Centre!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Location: ARC Area - Dry Floor (2499 McMillan Road)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: Lights! Lasers! Action! Have a blast while you beat your opponents through barriers in the ARC Arena!

Registration: No registration required, but please DM us on Instagram @abbyouth or check our website www.abbyyouth.com and complete the form to save your spot!

Cost: FREE!

Partnering with: the City of Abbotsford


Thurs. May 4, 2023

Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023

Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Location: MRC Youth Centre (3106 Clearbrook Rd)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: The force you will experience, see things you will! Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you at MRC Youth Centre!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023

Time: 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Location: ARC Gymnasium (2499 McMillan Rd - Entrance through ARC Youth Centre)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: Have a blast this Star Wars Day while you take on the dark side in the ARC Gym! The ARC Youth Centre will be open for concession and hanging out to catch your breath between games! May the 4th be with you!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023

Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Location: MRC Pool & ARC Pool

Ages: Youth ages 13 - 18

Details: Bring your swimsuits and friends for a splashing good time at the MRC & ARC Pools. Come on in and catch your wave of happiness!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: $2 per youth

Partnering with: the City of Abbotsford

Fri., May 5, 2023

Date: Friday, May 5, 2023

Time: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: MRC Youth Centre (3106 Clearbrook Rd)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: You are invited to a Party to die for! Help us solve a mystery of who killed who at MRC Youth Centre!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Date: Friday, May 5, 2023

Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Location: ARC Youth Centre (2499 McMillan Road)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: Do you love creating and sending funny Memes? Whether you love making, receiving and/or laughing till your belly aches at a good meme… this hilarious activity is for YOU!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Fri. May 5, 2023 (Con't)

Date: Friday, May 5, 2023

Time: 6:45 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: MRC Ice Arena (3106 Clearbrook Road)

Ages: 12 - 18

Details: Lace up and skate into spring for a chance to get some free BC Youth Week Swag!!

Registration: No registration required, but please DM us on Instagram @abbyouth or check our website www.abbyyouth.com and complete the form to save your spot!

Cost: FREE admission & FREE rentals

Partnering with: The City of Abbotsford


Sat. May 6, 2023

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023

Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: Delair Park (35570 Old Yale Rd - Playground Entrance)

Ages: All

Details: Free drop-in art in the park with featured artist Rebekah Brackett! Rebekah will be demonstrating linoleum printmaking with water soluble inks. Make your own print to take home! This event is part of the Go Play Outside initiative.

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

Partnering with: Go Play Outside

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023

Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Location: MRC Pool & ARC Pool

Ages: Youth ages 12 - 18

Details: Bring your swimsuits and friends for a splashing good time at the MRC & ARC Pools. Come on in and catch your wave of happiness!

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: $2 per youth

Partnering with: the City of Abbotsford

Sun. May 7, 2023

Date: Sunday, May 7, 2023

Time: ALL DAY!

Location: AYC Instagram (@abbyyouth)

Ages: Everyone!

Details: May 7th is Youth Mental Health Day. Follow our Instagram @abbyyouth to engage in the wellness conversation and discover local resources.

Registration: No registration required!

Cost: FREE!

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History of BC Youth Week: In 1995, a small group of local municipal planners and youth recreation leaders in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia stumbled across an idea they thought might be an interesting little project. At first, discussions revolved around the idea of organizing a Youth Day. However, this was not big enough for the ambitious group, so they decided to make it an entire week. Thus Youth Week was born. It began with a small handful of municipalities launching a new and exciting initiative to promote partnerships with youth, adults, businesses, government, schools and the media – A Celebration of Youth.

Mission Statement: The BC Youth Week Committee engages individuals throughout BC to collaborate and support each other. We create opportunities that empower youth to be heard, recognized, and celebrated.

Check out the BC Youth Week website to see what is happening all over BC this year!

Youth Week has become an international celebration to promote awareness of youth. It is an opportunity for people around the world to learn about, and from, the youth of their community. During May 1st to 7th, youth in BC will embrace the spirit of Youth Week by participating in activities and events organized by youth for youth, while honoring and celebrating their diversity and their many contributions in their communities.

Youth Week events have included youth award ceremonies, advocacy campaigns, service projects, entertainment events, sporting competitions, educational forums, and other events to showcase, educate and empower youth in our communities. More information, including a sample of the activities that take place during BC Youth Week, can be found on the events listing page.

Wherever Youth Week is celebrated, the idea behind it is the same: Young people are important and need to be recognized in a constructive and positive manner. Their contributions need to be acknowledged and celebrated. Mark your calendar and support youth in your community